Steelers' Justin Fields Has Been Good But Not Great In 2024: "We're Going To Potentially Explore"

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin finally said what many fans have been waiting to hear: the door is open for Russell Wilson to start in Week 7 against the New York Jets. Wilson was injured at the start of training camp, and the coaching staff has been unable to evaluate him fully in black and gold since he hasn't been able to play in any of the regular season games. 

Justin Fields was initially expected to sit behind Wilson and learn, but was forced to step up to the plate instead. After a 3-0 start to the season, the Steelers dropped two games in a row, only to come back and win big over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6. A huge factor in why the Steelers were able to beat the Raiders 32-13 is because of Fields and his legs. He was able to open up opportunities that weren't there otherwise. 

While many analysts believe Wilson offers nothing different from Fields, Tomlin must feel differently. During his weekly press conference, Tomlin indicated that Wilson and Fields would split first-team reps this week as they prepare for the Jets. He said that Wilson proved his health last week, and that put him into consideration. Tomlin said it isn't a matter of what Fields is not doing or that he is not playing well. Instead, it is about the big picture.  

"Justin has been really good, and we've been really good at times, but not to be confused with great," Tomlin said. "Man, this is a competitive league. We're trying to position ourselves to be that team, and we've got a player with talent who hadn't had an opportunity to play, so we're going to potentially explore those things. Sometimes it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with what Justin has done or what Justin has not done. Justin has been an asset to us. Last week, for example, his ability to use his legs by design and by ad-lib was a significant component of that game; he rushed for 50+ yards and two touchdowns. We're appreciative of that."

Tomlin was quick to add, in his own cryptic way, that this doesn't close the door on Fields. He wanted to look at both players and consider all the talent available. He likened it to what they did with Terrell Edmunds, who recently returned to Pittsburgh and is now getting some opportunities. 

Fields has completed 106 passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. He has also rushed for 231 yards and five more touchdowns. Coming into Pittsburgh from the Chicago Bears, turnovers were one of the biggest concerns. Fields has protected the ball, and Tomlin acknowledged that. 

"We're appreciative of how he's taken care of the ball," Tomlin continued. "We're just looking at all of the people at our disposal the same way that we do with any position. That's what you do in this thing. You better have your foot on the gas. You better look to divide the labor up in the most appropriate way based on who's available to you and who's healthy, and that's what we're going to do."

If Wilson starts, it sounds like the door is not closed to special packages for Fields. This suggestion has come up since the two joined the team. Tomlin said that even though everyone falls short of perfection, as a football team, they still seek it. 

Steelers' Justin Fields Has Masked A Bad Offensive Line

The offensive line has been one of the Steelers' biggest Achilles heels this season. Injuries have decimated the group, and they have played new groupings practically every week. This has meant that rookies and new players have had to step up. Unfortunately, the 2023 first-round pick, Broderick Jones, has been struggling all season.  

According to the entire Get Up on ESPN gang, one of Fields' bonuses is that he helps cover those problems. They called the line "atrocious" and said that with the line being that bad, they would struggle all season, but Fields gives them the best shot at winning. 

Do you think starting Wilson is the right thing to do? Click to comment below. 

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